When Doves Fly

The second round of the Zagames State League Division Two South East season saw Doveton host Beaumaris at Waratah Reserve.

Doveton goalkeeper Stuart Webster, who's father Stan played for the club in the early 1980's, surveys the play further up the field. Webster was VPL Goalkeeper of the Year in 2003 (Frankston Pines) and 2012 (Dandenong Thunder). Keeping an eye on proceedings in the background is veteran goalkeeping coach Roy Lawton

The leafy surrounds of Waratah Reserve, with a hill beyond the park at the North Western end.

The Doveton bench, an impressive structure. Also ample and largely empty shelter down the Western side of the ground.

A rectangle of artificial turf means no unsightly bald patch at the entrance to the player's race.

Didier Imbert heads clear in the box.

The Press Box and more populated sheltered viewing area on the Eastern side of the ground.

Also on the Eastern side is the car park, clubrooms and heavy roller.

Another pitch in excellent condition, looking up the ground from South to North as Sean Seavill goes on the attack for Beaumaris.

David Gibson about to put the ball on the spot after Beaumaris were awarded a late first half penalty at 0-2 down.

Gibson beats Webster from the spot to get Beaumaris back into the game.

Doveton emerge for the second half, Roy Lawton catches up with Liam McCormick in the background.

Victorian State League and Victorian Premier League football was played at Waratah Reserve during Doveton's spells in the top flight during the 1980's and 1990's. On the other hand Beaumaris are currently at their highest ever level in competing in State Two South East.

Goals from Phoenix Lawton and Elliott David had Doveton 2-0 up before Beaumaris were awarded a contentious penalty before the break. Lawton's second goal seemed to have secured the win for the home side in the seventieth minute, but there was late drama as Beaumaris pulled a goal back in stoppage time. Holding on to their 3-2 lead saw the Doves keep their 100% winning record early in the new season.

                                                      (Click on images to enlarge)

So many questions...

but is there anyone able to give some answers?

How does a club with a few strikes against it's name get involved in a brawl with their opposition and escape without any punishment whatsoever?

Is it true that in the above tribunal case involving North Sunshine Eagles that the rocket flare at the 2012 VPL Grand Final between Dandenong Thunder and Oakleigh Cannons was mentioned? Would that be because like Thunder, North Sunshine Eagles are a club of the Albanian community? Is that not racial profiling?

How many clubs has Stuart Webster been registered with this season? Isn't there a limit as to how many transfers one can have in a year?

Why is Stuart Webster's request for an out of window transfer to Richmond denied, but his later out of transfer window exemption granted when he moves back to Bentleigh Greens after spells at Dandenong Thunder and Doveton?

Who is it at the FFV you have to slip some cash to to get an out of window exemption for a goalkeeper transfer granted? Should I ask someone at Bentleigh Greens, as they seem to be able to get one every year?

http://www.bordermail.com.au/story/1688787/premier-league-bid-held-up-by-greedy-melbourne-clubs/?cs=10

If there are 12 clubs in the VPL, and one has junior fees of $3200 per season, whilst everyone else has them below $1000 per season, is it not an outrageous lie to claim "these clubs $3200 to register for the year"?

How many of the 0-3 defeats suffered by the Ballarat Red Devils reserves have been due to forfeits for not being able to field a team? Does that bode well for regional NPLV clubs?

How is it that when Michael Lynch is finally able to cover some lower-tier football in The Age that the FFV CEO Mitchell Murphy should be unavailable for comment?

Why would the FFV's Tim Frampton, at a meeting of the Bulleen Lions members discussing the NPLV, make remarks about other clubs which were derogatory or slanderous (depending on how far down the Chinese Whispers line you were when they were relayed to you)?

Can anyone who insists the NPL is entirely directed by the FFA and that the model is the same across the states tell me how the NSW NPL does not include Northern New South Wales or Canberra?

http://www.footballfedvic.com.au/index.php?id=1149

Which one of the FFV's core values makes you laugh the most?

Unity - Victorian football stakeholders will work together to deliver a shared vision and purpose for the growth and  health of the game.

When was that supposed to have happened? Isn't the FFV currently playing clubs off against each other and creating divisions within individual clubs?

Pride - We are proud of the organisation we work for and bring infectious enthusiasm in pursuit of our vision for football.

But not proud of the clubs that make up that organisation, more like ashamed of them.

Integrity - The affairs of the FFV will be unconditionally embedded in honesty and fairness. 

It shouldn't be too hard for someone from there to answer a few of the questions posed above about out of transfer window exemptions in the comments section of this blog then? Surely they can offer a reasonable explanation of Webster situation?

Respect - We will treat others the way we expect to be treated. We will also earn respect through becoming a positive and powerful force capable of delivering meaningful sport and social outcomes within the broader community.

They expect to be treated like scum then? That's how they treat the clubs.

Openness - We will engage and communicate transparently with the football family and listen with open-mindedness.

Apart from the NPLV consultation process I assume?

Performance - We will strive for service and business excellence off the field and inspired results on the field for Victorian clubs, players, coaches and referees.

Losing $900,000 last year was business excellence? Melbourne Victory Youth results only became inspired after the club took over running the team from the shambolic FFV.

When will the madness end?